MattersFinanceFirst seen Mar 5, 2025
2025–2029 financial plan
ApprovedThe plan sets Langford’s operating and capital spending for 2025–2029, with changes to staffing and project timing. Its initial draft projected a 14.51% tax increase for 2025; the report estimated committee changes could lower that to 11.96%, but the final tax impact is not stated.
Where it stands: Five-year financial plan approved as amended Mar 5, 2025.
Background
Earlier and later steps of the same initiative.
Jan 28, 2025 – Mar 17, 2025
2025–2029 financial plan
The plan covers Langford’s proposed 2025 operating budget and capital spending for 2025–2029. The 2025 budget included a $1.2 million increase for sidewalk infill, funded from the General Amenity Fund and offset against 2026.
Feb 18, 2025
2025–2029 draft financial plan
The item provided an overview of the 2025 budget meeting schedule and related materials. It does not describe proposed spending or tax changes.
Feb 21, 2025
2025 five-year financial plan
The draft 2025–2029 financial plan proposed a 14.51% property-tax increase, with operating and capital spending shaped by population growth, service needs and debt costs. A survey of 630 respondents ranked protective services and road and sidewalk maintenance among top priorities; committee directions included deferring the e-bike rebate to 2026–2027 and seeking non-tax funding or deferrals.
Timeline
Every time this matter appeared in council records, newest first.
Financial plan amended, including staffing and project changes
Multiple amendments and directions were made to the proposed 2025-2029 financial plan, and the Five-Year Financial Plan was approved as amended.
Decision: Directed staff to investigate separating policing and E-Comm tax amounts on the tax notice.
Passed 7–0
Decision: Approved the 2025-2029 Five Year Financial Plan as amended, reallocating funds among key projects.
Passed 7–0
Decision: Directed staff to remove building inspections and planning support positions from the plan.
Passed 7–0
Decision: Directed staff to add four West Shore RCMP members to the five-year financial plan.
Passed 5–2· Against: Scott Goodmanson, Mark Morley
Decision: Deferred Sidewalk Infill SW01 $1,200,000 to 2026.
Passed 4–3· Against: Kimberley Guiry, Keith Yacucha, Lillian Szpak
Decision: Approved hiring nine additional fire department staff in 2025 to fully staff Fire Hall #2.
Passed 7–0
Decision: Directed staff to fund one-time finance and policy support positions from surplus.
Passed 7–0
Decision: Directed staff to defer parks support and administration positions to 2026.
Passed 7–0
Decision: Directed staff to cut select discretionary items, defer Goldstream fountain to 2026, and find $100,000.
Passed 7–0
Decision: Withdrawn the proposal to defer SR85 paving of city parking lots ($660,000) to 2026.
Withdrawn
Decision: Deferred Centennial Park Improvements (PK24) $385,000 to 2026.
Passed
Decision: Deferred City Centre Crosswalk SR95 ($140,000) to 2026.
Passed 6–1· Against: Keith Yacucha
Decision: Deferred PD37 Westshore Parkway Trail $500,000.
Passed 7–0
Decision: Rejected the amendment increasing the RCMP addition from four to five members.
Defeated 3–4· Against: Colby Harder, Kimberley Guiry, Keith Yacucha, Lillian Szpak
Decision: Directed staff to reduce Building Inspection vehicle purchase (BI01) to $100,000.
Passed 5–2· Against: Kimberley Guiry, Lillian Szpak
Decision: Directed staff to set technology savings: $150,000 (2025), $350,000 (2026), $575,000 (2027), $825,000 (2028).
Passed 6–1· Against: Kimberley Guiry
Decision: Extended the meeting for 10 minutes.
Passed 0–1· Against: Keith Yacucha
- Wendy Hollis (Luxon Highway)Opposes · Budget priorities and Woodland property
Opposes spending on the Woodland property without a full business plan and urges funding for public safety and safer school routes. - S. RossanderConcerned · Staffing and training budgets
Questions staffing requests lacking workload data and suggests reducing the overall training budget. - Wendy BowersOpposes · Spending and policing
Opposes discretionary spending and asks council to fund the required complement of RCMP officers. - Sandy SeifertConcerned · Budget priorities
Questions staffing increases and Woodland costs, and urges council to trim spending amid economic uncertainty. - Lisa FoxallOpposes · Taxes and business spending
Opposes tax increases for consultants and additional staff, and urges lower taxes and reduced business costs. - Mike MortonAsks · Taxes and spending
Asks council to defer expenditures where possible and keep taxes low during economic uncertainty. - Chris BoxelSupports · Taxes and spending
Supports making substantial spending cuts and lowering taxes, citing Langford’s response to past financial crises. - Ren LouieAsks · Financial plan
Asks council to cut the budget where possible while protecting essential services such as policing and firefighting. - Wendy Hawes (Lexner Road)Concerned · Travel, training, and public engagement
Urges council to reduce travel and spending so families can manage costs, and calls for respectful treatment of residents. - Chris FoxhallSupports · Policing and community response
Supports exploring community-based response services that could help residents while reducing pressure on RCMP resources. - L. PlompSupports · Consultants and fire services
Supports consultants for needed planning work and funding 24-hour staffing at the nearby fire hall. - Sandy SeifertConcerned · Budget priorities
Urges council to reduce spending on plans and consultants while preserving police and fire priorities. - PerryConcerned · Planning, staffing, and transparency
Questions claims about missing plans and staffing needs, and calls for greater transparency and support for community recreation. - B. ArmstrongMixed · Malahat property and policing
Asks council to reduce maintenance spending on the Malahat property, consider deferring a position, and improve local policing accountability.
- Wendy Hollis (Luxon Highway)Opposes · Budget priorities and Woodland property